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Mount Qomolangma, one of the most mysterious tourist resorts of the world, has attracted the world's attention for something other than its scenery. Rubbish is piling up on the mountain. Fortunately, dozens of volunteers have organized the largest ever clean－up, trying to give the ancient mountain a brand－new outlook.
The clean－up expedition was jointly organized by the China Mountaineering Association and the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve. More than 100 people are taking part. The team's plan is to climb to the 7,000m height, collecting rubbish along the way. On their way down, they'll bring out all the garbage and put it in bags to be carried by Tibetan yaks. It will be a tough job because of the rocky paths and the thin air.
From 1921 to 1960, Mt. Qomolangma only received 15 mountaineering expeditions. However, the number of visitors to the roof of the world rose to 20,000 in 1998. Unfortunately, when the climbers left, they left behind numerous tents, sleeping bags, oxygen bottles, and other refuse. If each person leaves behind an average of 220 to 320 grams of garbage, then in one year's time, 24 to 67 tons of new rubbish will cover the peak. Statistics show that a total of 615 tons of waste were scattered on the glaciers from 1921 to 1999.
(CCTV September 25, 2002)
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